The spread of chloroquin-resistant plasmodium falsiparum malaria, which is
the type of malaria we have in Sub Saharan Africa, has led to the increased
use of mefloquine prophylaxis by US Peace Corpse volunteers, as well as
short and long term travellers to mosquito infested regions. Mefloquine is
the most recommended antimalarial agent on the US market, but some
travellers who are unable to take mefloquine have taken doxycycline which is
also effective prophylactically.
It is however worth to note that in a study that was done to measure the
effectiveness and tolerance of long term malaria prophylaxis with
mefloquine, the incidence of plasmodium falsiparum malaria was compared in
peace corpse volunteers in West Africa who took mefloquine every two weeks
and in volunteers who took chloroquin phosphate weekly. Amazingly, mefloquin
was only 63% more effective than chloroquin. The monthly incidence of
plasmodium falsiparum malaria was one case per 100 volunteers who took
mefloquin and 2.7 cases per 100 volunteers who took chloroquin.
One can also reduce their risk of acquiring malaria by using bed netting,
wearing proper clothing. I remember when i lived in T-Road,in Banjul i used
to go to bed fully clothed, with socks on. One can also apply mosquito
repellnts or light a moontiger.
May God bless and Peace be Upon All
Alasana Bah
>From: AIDA A FALL <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Malaria medication
>Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1999 23:57:36 -0400
>
> It is true and unfortunate that the Gambia and many of its
>neighbors
>now is an endemic region for chloroquine-resistant malaria which in
>addition
>to being resistant to the traditional treatment drug chloroquine also is a
>more aggressive malaria variant that can spread to the brain. Since
>chloroquine is no longer effective for treatment or even prophylaxis
>(prevention) of malaria other drugs are recommended including mefloquine
>and
>paludrine. Mefloquine has actually been shown to be a safe drug here in the
>US, the recommended regimen is one 250mg pill once a week which should be
>started a week prior to travel. Possible side effects that have been
>described
>do include seizures or specific heart problems but the only info I could
>find
>here states they occurred as a result of a drug interaction with another
>medication, plus the reaction was a very rare one. It is likely that the
>risk
>of side effects increase with higher doses and I am not sure how it is
>prescribed in Europe or for children/elderly who often require lower doses
>than standard for medications. I am not really familiar with Paludrine as a
>prophylactic drug, it does have to be taken in conjunction with
>chloroquine,
>but it is not available in the US for the prevention of malaria. The info I
>found suggested that both mefloquine and paludrine were effective
>prophylactic
>drug and neither provides a significant advantage over the other so it
>probably is a matter of choice and which one is readily available that goes
>into which is prescribed.
>Hope this was useful.
>
>Aida F.
>
>
>On Mon, 30 Aug 1999, Angelika P wrote:
>
> > as from my own experience I experienced the problem of Malaria.
> >
> > After I stayed in Gambia for 3 good month in rain season 1998 for my
>marriage with my Gambian husband I finaly returned home to Germany
>suffering from malaria, although I took the Chloroquine that I was sold in
>Gambian pharmacies.
> >
> > I was very weak when I came to the "Berhard Nocht Institute for Tropical
>Deseases" in Hamburg Germany and there I was told that it was almost "too
>late". There I was informed, that I almost lost my life because the
>Chloroquine is useless against the Malaria in the West African Regions.
>Merfloquine/Lariam is the medication that can securely help.
> >
> > If you are interested in more information please reply or look at
>http://www.bni.uni-hamburg.de/ or http://www.dtg.mwn.de/dtg_e/indexeng.htm
> >
> > I would be very happy if this information could help to safe lives.
> >
> >
> > A. Prox
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
> >
>
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